The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night;
Ya-honk! he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation;
(The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listen close;
I find its purpose and place up there toward the wintry sky.)
[14.1]
The sharp-hoof’d moose of the north, the cat on the house-sill, the chickadee , the prairie-dog, 240
The litter of the grunting sow as they tug at her teats,
The brood of the turkey-hen, and she with her half-spread wings;
I see in them and myself the same old law.
[14.2]
The press of my foot to the earth springs a hundred affections ;
They scorn the best I can do to relate them. 245
[14.3]
I am enamour’d of growing out-doors,
Of men that live among cattle, or taste of the ocean or woods,
Of the builders and steerers of ships, and the wielders of axes and mauls , and the drivers of horses;
I can eat and sleep with them week in and week out.
[14.4]
What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me; 250
Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns; Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me;
Not asking the sky to come down to my good will;
Scattering it freely forever.
[14.5]
14.
The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night;
Ya-honk! he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation;
(The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listen close;
I find its purpose and place up there toward the wintry sky.)
[14.1]
The sharp-hoof’d moose of the north, the cat on the house-sill, the chickadee , the prairie-dog, 240
The litter of the grunting sow as they tug at her teats,
The brood of the turkey-hen, and she with her half-spread wings;
I see in them and myself the same old law.
[14.2]
The press of my foot to the earth springs a hundred affections ;
They scorn the best I can do to relate them. 245
[14.3]
I am enamour’d of growing out-doors,
Of men that live among cattle, or taste of the ocean or woods,
Of the builders and steerers of ships, and the wielders of axes and mauls , and the drivers of horses;
I can eat and sleep with them week in and week out.
[14.4]
What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me; 250
Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns;
Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me;
Not asking the sky to come down to my good will;
Scattering it freely forever.
[14.5]
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